NRL Expansion

"We want to keep growing," Abdo told News Corp. "By the end of 2024, we will know what it looks like for an 18th franchise and potentially beyond that."

Ever since the Dolphins were brought into the competition at the start of this year, focus has quickly switched to which new franchise will join them to even up the numbers in the NRL.

This comes after the successful bid by Queensland Rugby League club, Redcliff Dolphins to become the 17^th club to enter the NRL competition in 2023.

When asked about the expansion of the NRL with an extra New Zealand team or expanding to the Pacific the NRL CEO explained the cost of such a venture would outweigh the positives for the governing body at this stage.

After being strongly linked to the role for some time, the Dolphins unveiled Bennett at a press conference on Thursday.
“I feel very privileged actually,” Bennett said.

The Dolphins who will adopt a new name to replace Redcliffe are set to be unveiled as the NRL’s 17th team to join the competition in 2023.

“It is understood Bennett is close with signing with Redcliffe, who this month will be announced as Brisbane’s second team,” Channel 7 reported.

Bennett was always going home to Queensland after this season with Jason Demetriou taking over as head coach of South Sydney.
Departing Souths coach Wayne Bennett is set to join the Redcliffe Dolphins when they are officially announced as the NRL’s Brisbane expansion team this month.

NRL expansion plans are back on the table after temporarily being benched while the governing body focused all its time and energy on keeping the competition alive amid Sydney’s Covid outbreak.

Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys confirmed to News Corp earlier this week that formal meetings with the three hopeful teams will be held over the next fortnight.

Those three teams that are vying for a place in the competition are the Brisbane Firehawks, Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Jets.